IMPACT 4.06.

10 17/09/2018

Chassis ID Path
17/Description, Design and function//Lubricants, fluids and oil analysis

Model Identity
FH (4) 142015090

Publish date ID/Operation

16/05/2018

Oil analysis

General
Regular sampling and analysis of the oil is a practical way of getting a direct indication of the condition of the oil, and
thereby also an indirect indication of the condition of the respective components.

Oil samples should be taken regularly. A single sample, or irregular sampling will not give sufficiently accurate
information. The best information is obtained if one or more intermediate samples are performed between samples
taken at oil change, since these will give more information concerning the condition of the component and the oil it self.
If samples are only taken at oil changes, they will give relevant, but limited information.

Note: Oil analysis is not a tool for further extending the oil change intervals recommended by Volvo.

Note: Note that oil changes that are extended outside the limits recommended in the service literature or driver
information can damage the engine, and invalidate the warranty.

Taking samples

Warning
Hot components. Be careful not to come in contact with hot componant parts or fluids, since they can cause
dangerous burns.

Engine oils
Samples can be taken by installing a sampling valve on the engine or via the dip-stick tube. The instructions for the
sampling equipment should be followed accurately.

The following points concerning sampling are important:

Oil samples should be taken while the oil is hot and well mixed to ensure that the sample represents all the oil in
the engine.
The sample should be taken after some of the oil has run out, so that sediment is avoided

Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 4.06.10 17/09/2018

The sample should never be taken from the oil filter.

Always use clean sampling equipment, bottles etc. and ensure that the area around the sampling area is
cleaned carefully before performing the sampling.
If a sampling valve is fitted, the system should be flushed before sampling to ensure that the sample is
representative for all the oil in the engine.

Note: The results of oil sampling can vary between different engines, even if they are the same size and are made by
the same manufacturer. Decisions should be based on regular sampling. Also note that repairs often cause changes in
results until the new parts are run in.

Gearbox and axle oils

The following points concerning sampling are important:

Oil samples should be taken while the oil is hot and well mixed to ensure that the sample represents all the oil in
the engine.
The sample should be taken after some of the oil has run out, so that sediment is avoided
The sample should never be taken from the oil filter.
Always use clean sampling equipment, bottles etc. and ensure that the area around the sampling area is
cleaned carefully before performing the sampling.

Note: The results of oil sampling can vary between different components, even if they are the same size and are made
by the same manufacturer. Decisions should be based on regular sampling. Also note that repairs often cause changes
in results until the new parts are run in.

Guidelines for engine oils

Analyses that are used for comparison must be taken from the same engine and after the same number of operating
hours, after the oil change. The results must be evaluated based on knowledge about the origin of the particles.
Particle content (ppm) depends on:

Engine type and total volume of oil and filter

Oil volume at the time of sampling (sump)
Oil consumption
Operating conditions/application, fuel consumption
Time/mileage since last oil change
Total distance

Parameter Possible origin/cause Method Yellow/warning Red/Risk

Iron (Fe) Crankshaft, cylinder ASTM D5185 (1) > 100 ppm > 130 ppm
liner, camshaft, cam
follower, valve guides

Lead (Pb) Big-end and main > 20 ppm > 35 ppm

bearing shells

Copper (Cu) Big-end and main > 15 ppm (2) > 30 ppm (2)
bearing shells, gudgeon
pin bushings, oil cooler
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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Tin (Sn) Outer surface of sliding > 10 ppm (3) > 15 ppm (3)
bearings

Chrome (Cr) Piston rings, valve > 5 ppm > 10 ppm

stems

Aluminium (Al) Pistons, charge air > 10 ppm (3) > 15 ppm (3)
cooler, dirt

Nickel (Ni) Layer between surface > 15 ppm (3) > 20 ppm (3)
and copper layer on
sliding bearings, rocker
arm bushings

Molybdenum Piston ring > 5 ppm > 10 ppm

(Mo) (4)

Silicon (Si) Sand, dirt, etc. > 20 ppm > 40 ppm

Viscosity Reduction: Fuel dilution, ASTM D445 Stay in grade (5) Stay in grade (5)
oil shearing Increase:
Oxidation,
contamination by soot

Soot Incomplete combustion DIN 51452 (1) or > 2% weight > 3% weight
TGA

Water Coolant, condensation ASTM D6304 (1) > 0.05% > 0.1%

Fuel Incomplete combustion, ASTM D3524 (1) > 3% (6) > 4% (6)
internal leak on fuel
system, etc.

Sodium (Na), High concentrations of ASTM D5185 (1) > 5 ppm (B) > 10 ppm (B)
potassium (K) sodium (Na), potassium > 10 ppm (Na, K)(7) > 20 ppm (Na, K)(7)
(7)and/or boron (K) and/or boron (B) can
(B) (4) indicate a coolant leak.
Charge air cooler (7)

TBN (8) TBN indicates ASTM D4739 <3 <2

remaining alkalinity after
acid neutralisation

Oxidation   DIN 51453 (1) < 20 < 25

Nitration   DIN 51453 (1) < 25 < 30

1. Or equivalent.
2. Very high copper (Cu) levels, more than 500 ppm, are sometimes found during the first 100 000 km of the
vehicle life. The source is the oil cooler and the copper levels normally drop in consecutive drain intervals.
3. Can be higher during running-in.
4. Certain oils contain molybdenum and/or boron which can cause increased value. Check fresh oil values.
5. See Classification of engine oil viscosity
6. Up to 6% fuel dilution can be accepted providing viscosity at 100°C is > 9 cSt.
7. Potassium (K) can origin from the charge air cooler. Potassium and aluminium (Al) are then found at a ratio of
between 3:1 and 2:1. Over 100 ppm K can be found but with no harm to the engine (soft particles).
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
8. the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 4.06.10 17/09/2018

8. Measure by ASTM D4739. If TBN is measured by ASTM D2896, the limits are 4 and 3 respectively.

Recommendations

A trend is always more reliable than a single sample taken during an oil change, it is therefore strongly recommended
that one or more samples are taken between oil changes, as well as at the oil change.

New engines should have run at least 30 000 km and have had at least one oil change before taking oil samples. This
is to avoid abnormal occurrences that can occur during running-in. This applies both to new and reconditioned engines.

If one or more of the parameters exceeds the normal levels given above and there is still a considerable distance
before the next planned oil change, then a new sample should be taken as soon as possible. If the values are still high,
then the oil should be changed and a new sample taken after a shorter interval, to indicate if the values have returned
to their normal levels, or are still too high. If the levels are still high, a retailer should be contacted in order to consider
the following questions:

Is the correct oil for the engine and application being used?
Are the recommended service intervals being applied?

It is not advised to dismantle an engine purely on the grounds of oil analysis values. Instead, the values should be
interpreted as an indicator that something is not right. An oil analysis should be combined with other diagnostic
methods in order to confirm possible problems.

Guidelines for gearbox oils

Below are mentioned some guidelines of maximum oil contaminant that can be considered as acceptable or not in a
gearbox.
These values are guidelines only and cannot be use for warranty requests.
Iron, silicon, copper, aluminium and water content limits are monitored.

For each contaminant two limits are proposed:

Yellow limit: Caution
Red limit: Critical

  Contaminant (ppm)

Yellow limit Red limit

Fe 500 700

Si 80 100

Cu 150 200

Al 30 50

Water 1000 1000

If any of the yellow or red limits is exceeded, first check the following:
2. Is the correct oil quality used
3. Is correct oil drain interval applied

If no to any of these, change oil at first practical occasion and use correct oil quality and oil drain interval. Take new oil
sample at approximately half the interval of the previous. If oil is OK, continue to target interval and take new sample
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 4.06.10 17/09/2018

and change the oil. If still not OK, oil change interval must be reduced.

If yes to both of the above questions, change the oil at the first practical occasion and take new sample at
approximately same interval as in previous interval. If one or more parameters still exceed red limits, it is
recommended to open the gearbox to investigate origin of contamination.

Note: Contamination is a function of time and the longer oil drain intervals, the more contamination. The limits in the
table above are based on the longest intervals allowed in the gearboxes (800 000 km) and if limits are exceeded at
much shorter oil mileages, extra care must be taken.

Guidelines for axle oils

Below are mentioned some guidelines of maximum oil contaminant that can be considered as acceptable or not in a
axle.
These values are guidelines only and cannot be use for warranty requests.
Iron, silicon, copper and water content limits are monitored.

For each contaminant two limits are proposed:

Yellow limit: Caution
Red limit: Critical

  Contaminant (ppm)

Yellow limit Red limit

Fe 750 1000

Si 50 70

Cu 40 50

Water 1000 1400

If any of the yellow or red limits is exceeded, first check the following:
2. Is the correct oil quality used
3. Is correct oil drain interval applied

If no to any of these, change oil at first practical occasion and use correct oil quality and oil drain interval. Take new oil
sample at approximately half the interval of the previous. If oil is OK, continue to target interval and take new sample
and change the oil. If still not OK, oil change interval must be reduced.

If yes to both of the above questions, change the oil at the first practical occasion and take new sample at
approximately same interval as in previous interval. If one or more parameters still exceed red limits, it is
recommended to open the axle to investigate origin of contamination.

Note: Contamination is a function of time and the longer oil drain intervals, the more contamination. The limits in the
table above are based on the longest intervals allowed in the gearboxes (450 000 km) and if limits are exceeded at
much shorter oil mileages, extra care must be taken.

Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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